New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-12-14
UOPKINSS TURN MAS COME NOW.
THE SECOND FIDELITY BANK CASE.
THE TRIAL or THE ASSISTANT CASHIER BEGUN
YESTERDAY AT CINCINNATI

THE TRIAL or THE ASSISTANT CASHIER BEGUN
YESTERDAY AT CINCINNATI.
CINCINNATI, Dec. 13-Thc trial Of benjamin T.
Hopkins, formerly assistant cashier Of the Fidelity Ma
tional Bank, began this morning In the United States
Conrt, Judge sage presiding alouo The court passed
upon the dcmurrcrs which had been argued and struck
ont siX OF the forty fifty counts, which prac
tically tho same acts The Indictment as It remains,
was stated in substance to the defendant be charge
OF misapplication OF the funds OF the Fidelity National
Bank, and of making false entries in the bcols Of the
bank To this the defendant pleaded not guilty. J. f.
Bruce conducts the prosecution Warner L. Batcman
appears for the defendant. Mr. Hopkins attended
IN court by his and two daughters, and Mr.
O'kccic, his son ln-law.
The selection Of the jury accomplished aud the
jury sworn before Ten OF the jurymen arc
farmers ono is a stoc. dealer and tho twelfth IS a
bOOkbindcr.
Mr.. Bruce, for the Government, stated that they
expected 10 show that Hopkins had at time mis-
applied SsC0,000 Of the Fidelity Banks funds and
10000 at another time that he had drawn personal
checks upon the bank for large when he had no
funds to draw upon, and that he had made false entries
in tho books of tic bank representing 81 100000 used
in the Wiltshire wheat deal Mr.. Batcman for the DE-
fence, said they would prove the tho defendant wa.
not aware Of what was being done in tho bank that
he signed improper drafts when banded to him with
others by Harper, not knowing their nature.
Frank a. Al nstrong, now employed I'm the Cncin-
nail post office, but recently brohcr, testified that In
March last Hopkins arranged to have witness buy for
him 100000 bushels OF wheat In Chicago on n two
cent margin Witness took the order, and HOphlns
gave him 10000 draft of the Fidelity Bank ON tho
Metropolitan sank of Chicago Hopkins said the deal
was not for himself but for a strong party whom
he could not name Chicago called FOR more margin.
and Hopkins told him TO sell out the wheat which he
did, making loss Of a., $50.
John I. Snodsrass, of Chicago, dealer In grain ana
provisions, said that in February last Hopkins told
him that he wanted some In Chicago To manage for
friend OF his, who was amply abic, deal, OF a
corner in wheat; they he named the unknown
bacAcr or hackers, wanted to Luy on tWOccnt mar
gin and give exchange al the close Of every
day as might be required by the state of the marhet
Witness said hc could not close the arrangement until
he wont to Chicago aud consulted his firm. Next day
he had telegram from Mr.. Hopkins signed Bcn,'
saying: " II you can comply with our conversation
buy million bushels May wheat, and a million more
every cent break
ON examination he said he did nothing that
order that hN replied to The telegram IN person, tell
ing Hopkins that his firm wanted moro margin aud
must know who the principal. Hopkins said there
were others who would do the business tic terms
he wiShod aud SO the matter dropped
The adjourned